Ready, Aim, Attire: The Silliest Military Uniforms Ever

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Ready, Aim, Attire: The Silliest Military Uniforms Ever

Last season's collection of combat outfits merely scratched the surface of peculiar, quirky or downright silly ensembles. So we've hunted down the wackiest of the bunch. Whether it's protection of the royal family or Vatican City, combating enemies of the future or local troublemakers, here are some of the oddest military get-ups you may ever see.

The Spanish Royal Guards

The Spanish Royal Guards (Guardia Real) are dedicated to protecting the Royal Family of Spain, and go through the same arduous training as other soldiers to prepare for the job. But these guards want to make extra sure they look good in front of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía – and baggy trousers just won't cut it. "Oye tío, your pants are way too loose. They should be snappy and tight – like mine, see?"
Photo: Oscar in the middle/Flickr

The Soldier from the Future

The military has some lofty plans for its next generation soldiers – exoskeletons, smart sensors, mind controlled computers, active camouflage. How better to ground some of those futuristic technologies in reality than build a life size mock-up? Here, at the Army-sponsored All-American Bowl football game in San Antonio, Texas, the Future Soldier exhibit displays some of the Army's most imaginative dreams.
Photo: RDECOM/Flickr

The Swiss Guards

Various units of the Swiss Guard have protected European courts for hundreds of years. The Papal Swiss Guards, who serve Vatican City in characteristic red, blue and gold stripes, are the last that remain. Each soldier takes an oath of loyalty in his own language, and must be Catholic, single, male, and at least 5'8" to join the force.
Photo: robertpaulyoung/Flickr

The Queen's Life Guards

In England, they have a different kind of Life Guard. These soldiers, bound to protect the Queen, patrol the royal residences including Buckingham Palace and St. James's Palace in London. They, along with the Blues and Royals, make up the Household Cavalry of the British Army.
Photo: Alex Grant/Flickr

Caped Italian Police

The Italians like to enforce the law in style. In Florence, that means capes (plus some ornamental golden cord.) The municipal police go by many names in Italy, but in Rome they are sometimes called the Vigili Urbani (Urban Watch), after the ancient Roman fighting force, the Vigiles.Photo: brieanddylan/Flickr

Korean Honor Guards

These South Korean Honor Guards proudly don Crayola Crayon-inspired outfits, complete with trumpets and peacock feathers, at the Honor Guard Ceremony in the War Memorial of Korea. In the summertime, these ceremonies are held every Friday and Saturday.
Photo:US Army Korea